Two fleets, one track

The B14 fleet struggled with traffic at their latest TT event

The B14 circus consisting of 16 B14s, rocked up to the eastern end of the Solent with fond memories of their full on Nationals two years earlier in 2006.

Sharing the event with the Flying Dutchman Nationals, it was to prove an interesting regatta for both fleets. The FDs were to do traditional Olympic courses and the B14s upwind/downwind with one leeward mark.

Saturday and the wind and sun God came in on queue. Racing started in a building westerly spring tide with easterly force three, top end four breeze.

Following the FDs by five minutes, it was a case of when we would meet and on what leg. This was to have an impact on the way the race leaders decided their tactics.

Race one and the leaders from the start were Hyde Sails (Alan Davis and Toby Barsley-Dale), Anthill Mob (Tim Harrison and Johny Radcliffe) and Seavolution/Blue Marine (Mark Barnes and Pete Nicholson). The race was on to get out of the tide. This was won by the Anthill Mob but by the windward mark, Seavolution/Blue Marine had gained the lead. Over the next five laps, CSC (Chris Bines and Dave Gibbons) made their move to climb through the fleet from a mid fleet start. With the front two meeting a road block on catching the FDs, upwind, the front four compressed on lap four with CSC getting the jump on the Anthill Mob and Hyde Sails. The same was to occur during lap five with Seavolution/Blue Marine being hauled in. Going into the finish CSC squeezed through to take the win from Seavolution/Blue Marine, Anthill Mob, Hyde Sails and MJF/North Sails (Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer).

Race two and more of the same, but this time it was MJF/North Sails that led off the pin and Boulder Mobile (Nick Craig and James Stewart) that held the middle ground. At the windward Mark it was MJF/North Sails that led with various teams biting at their heals. However, they were to hold repulsing various teams, to take a well deserved win from the Anthill Mob, Simmons&Simmons (Mark Watts and George Morris), a recovering Seavolution/Blue Marine just getting the jump on CSC on the last round.

Race three again saw MJF/North Sails with the Anthill Mob leading off the pin but this time Seavolution/Blue Marine got the roll on them coming into the left hand shore corner. From this point on, Seavolution/Blue Marine took the lead extending/contracting 50-100m. However, behind them, a real dogfight was had between the next three with MJF/North Sails getting the jump on the other two. So at the end and leading overnight on seven points was Seavolution/Blue Marine followed by MJF/North Sails second now on eight, Anthill Mob third on nine, Hyde Sails and CSC.

With the teams retiring to the club for a gastronomic seasonal buffet and band, a good night was had by all.

Sunday and we were greeted by breeze from all quadrants. The wind god was playing his joker. After a respite for lunch, the breeze kicked in and both fleets launched.

Race four and the pin paid but one boat bucked the trend coming out of the middle, Ovington Boats/Dynamic Sails (Dave Dabrejuic and Phil Eltringham). Up the beat, they clicked in within the top five. At the windward mark, they had climbed to fourth and rolled MJF/North Sails. Over the next three laps, Seavolution/Blue Marine repulsed first the Anthill Mob and then on several occasions, Ovington Boats/Dynamic Sails. The following two were in turn, to have an altication with the Anthill Mob spinning at the leeward mark. However, the Anthill Mob got back past Ovington Boats/Dynamic Sails on the last beat to finish second behind Seavolution/Blue Marine and so secure second in the race and second overall.

After two days of good racing the fleets headed for shore in the dying breeze. A well run event both ashore and on the water with some tight racing. TT-7 is at Thorpe Bay in two weeks. So expect some tight racing and great partying if attending.

Results:

1 - Seavolution/Blue Marine - Mark Barnes and Pete Nicholson, 4 points
2 - Anthill Mob - Tim Harrison and Johny Radcliffe, 7 points
3 - MJF/North Sails - Dave Hayes and Sean Dwyer, 8 points
4 - CSC - Chris Bines and Dave Gibbons, 12 points
5 - Hyde Sails - Alan Davis and Toby Barsley-Dale, 14 points
6 - Simmons&Simmons - Mark Watts and George Morris, 15 points
7 - Ovington Boats/Dynamic Sails - David Dabrejuic and Phil Eltringham, 16 points
8 - Acxiom - Mark Emmett and Allan Stuart and Rachel Bennett, 8 points
9 - Mo’B - Rod Boswijk and Sharon Binney, 25 points
10 - Boulder Mobile - Nick Craig and James Stewart, 30 points